In other news, I have had some great meetings lately and am feeling very excited about a brand new service we’ll be adding to Little Independent in time for Small Business Saturday and holiday shopping.  This new e-commerce offering will be colorful, fun, easy and beneficial for shopkeepers and shoppers alike.

More on that as it develops.  Stay tuned!  We’re on Twitter @LitInd and on Facebook.com/LittleIndependent.  Thanks and Happy Small Business Week to you!

I’m not sure what the future of the site will be.  I fear we’re still too small to fulfill our mission effectively.  I’m hoping to forge collaborations to keep this labor of love moving forward.  There are many possibilities but possibilities sometimes remain just that.

Being an entrepreneur is always uncertain and regardless of what happens next, I am so glad I took the leap. I have met so many wonderful people and learned so much.  Here are a few personal highlights:

1.  95 shopkeepers in 22 states added their stores to our site including 2 this week.

2.  I have met so many great people in the local and independent community. Presenting at the American Independent Business Alliance Go Local, Grow Local national conference was a huge honor.

3.  We’ve had some great press since we launched including the New York Times, The Chicago Tribune and Next Web.  I’m so proud that people took notice of this project and that I was able to talk about the importance of supporting small businesses on a national platform.

4.  Here are my 3 favorite blog posts of the last year:

"Buy It Where You Try It" in the New York Times

• How to Have Less Traffic, Higher Home Values & Better Health
• It’s Your Business- Run It Girls Scout Entrepreneur Video
• O School Keynote: There is a Reason Why They Call it Work

We were interviewing someone for a job at my shop and we asked a question about goals and accomplishment.  She said, that she would only consider something a failure if she didn’t learn anything.  Fortunately I have learned so much I didn’t know when I began working on this in 2010.  Even if I decide to close the marketplace – temporarily or permanently – I would still consider it a success.

Thanks for reading.  If you’d like more information on Little Independent, please contact me at Lesley @ littleindependent.com.

Lesley, I love your idea and site! We all know how much independently owned businesses are struggling in these slow and uncertain economic times we all find ourselves living in today. It’s important to work together to educate consumers on how we are different from big box and chain stores and the dramatic effect their buying choices can have on our local communities. I am impressed with what you have done for the cause.

Incredibly sweet.  Thank you Tracy for your compliments and for adding The Farmer’s Daughter to our site.  I hope we can continue to grow and improve Little Independent to be more beneficial to the stores and shoppers that use the site.

Lesley Tweedie, Founder LittleIndependent.com @LitInd on Twitter and on Facebook

Little Independent is a small business resource launched in 2011.  Its mission is to be an advocate for independent retailers and to give savvy shoppers an easier way to find great independent stores and discounted merchandise.  Shop. Sell. Support.  We appreciate it!

PS: We’re working on relaunching Little Independent with a version 2.0. – Cooler, shinier, more mobile and more beneficial for stores and shoppers.  If you’d like to get involved, please contact me at lesley @ LittleIndependent.com.

The Girl Scouts have a wonderful series called “It’s Your Business- Run It!” and I was so lucky to be included talking about Roscoe Village Bikes and Little Independent.  The video features:

• Bikes
• Before & after shots of our storefront at 2016 W. Roscoe St. in Chicago
• Musings about sales & helping people.

Enjoy!

Lesley Tweedie, Founder

LittleIndependent.com

@LitInd on Twitter and on Facebook

Little Independent is a small business resource launched in 2011.  Its mission is to be an advocate for independent retailers and to give savvy shoppers an easier way to find great independent stores and discounted merchandise.  Shop. Sell. Support.  We appreciate it!

PS: We’re working on relaunching Little Independent with a version 2.0. – Cooler, shinier, more mobile and more beneficial for stores and shoppers.  If you’d like to get involved, please contact me at lesley @ LittleIndependent.com.

Locally owned shops & handmade cycling caps.

Fix a Flat Tire:

1.  Remove the wheel from the bike.

2.  Use tire lever(s) to unhook the bead of the tire from one side of the rim.  Remove the punctured tube from the tire.

3.  Determine where the puncture is on the tube. (Inflate it if necessary.)

4.  Check the tire and wheel and if needed, take steps to prevent a new tube from being punctured in the same way.  (For example, remove glass, nail or replace rim-strip if the flat was caused by the spokes.)

5.  Take a new tube and inflate it slightly to give it shape.

6.  Install the new tube. Start at the valve. Leave one side of the bead of the tire on the rim.

7.  Put the other side of the bead of the tire back onto the rim. This can be hard. Work your way around and use two hands to roll the bead over the rim. Try not to use any tools so that you don’t end up pinching the new tube between the tire and rim.

8.  Inspect the tire.  Make sure the tube isn’t sticking out and that the tire is seated in the rim.

9.  Inflate the tube about half-way and re-inspect.

10.  Inflate the tube all the way up to the tire pressure recommended on the tire.

Like many things, this is all easier said than done.  You also have to remove and reinstall the wheel from the bike.  If you’d rather have someone else do it, your local bike shop will be glad to help. Here are a few other things to keep in mind:

General Bike Maintenance:

1.  General inspection- squeeze brakes, check skewers or axle nuts, check for rattles.

2.  Check tire pressure and inflate your tires regularly.

3.  Apply chain lube after rain or snow or about every 2-3 weeks.

4.  Have the right gear- lights, locks, helmets, gloves.

5.  Ride your bike. (It’s good for it.)

Happy biking and thanks for your support of all the mom & pop shops in your community.

Lesley Tweedie, Founder

LittleIndependent.com

@LitInd on Twitter and on Facebook

Little Independent is a small business resource launched in 2011.  Its mission is to be an advocate for independent retailers and to give savvy shoppers an easier way to find great independent stores and discounted merchandise.  Shop. Sell. Support.  We appreciate it!

PS: We’re working on relaunching Little Independent with a version 2.0. – Cooler, shinier, more mobile and more beneficial for stores and shoppers.  If you’d like to get involved, please contact me at lesley @ LittleIndependent.com.

Little Independent is good for you.

According to research collected by Good, public opinion is pro-small business.  For example, 61% of Americans believe that small businesses provide more valuable services to a community than big businesses or the government. Americans also see small businesses as vital to supporting the middle class.

This public opinion isn’t just opinion, it’s backed up by fact.

The Institute for Local Self Reliance and other groups say locally owned businesses benefit the economy, the local community and the environment.  “Shopping local benefits the neighborhood: here are the numbers to prove it” in Fast Company has more.

A study conducted by the research group Civic Economics in Salt Lake City, Utah in August 2012 found that local retailers return a total of 52 percent of their revenue to the local economy.  This is compared to just 14 percent for the national chain retailers.

More money staying in the neighborhood is just one benefit of supporting independent retailers.  The Institute of Transportation Engineers found that megastores stores contribute to traffic congestion.  Everyone likes less traffic. 

Vibrant small business sectors are also associated with better health.  According to research done by Louisiana State University, counties with a greater proportion of small businesses — defined as businesses with four or less employees — showed lower rates of mortality, obesity and diabetes.

Not only are small businesses associated with healthier communities, there is also a relationship between small business and higher home values.  An article titled “Fostering Local Business Pays Off” in Realtor Mag states “chic, boutique- and bistro-filled neighborhoods have higher property values than less-vibrant areas.”

Since small businesses are so beneficial to communities, it’s not surprising that the number of Local First groups and independent business alliances is on the rise.  There are now more than 140 such groups compared to 30 in 2005.

This is good news for the neighborhood and the businesses because independent businesses in communities with an active “buy local first” initiative run by a local business organization reported average revenue growth of 8.6% in 2012.  Compare that to 3.4% for those in areas without such an initiative.

The local and independent movement is certainly growing by leaps and bounds.  Launched in 2010, there are now more than 3.2 million people that like Small Business Saturday on Facebook.

Big business knows the public knows that small business is a good thing which might be why “Big Business Jumps on the Small Business Bandwagon.” As long as it’s genuine, I think it’s great.  If it’s not genuine and it’s just an attempt to gather up some warm fuzzies, it’s dubious.  We’re all neighbors though, so I definitely see that biggies and smallies can help each other.

Abraham Lincoln said it best: “I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives.  I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him.”  Big and small alike, we share the same places.  I believe we should work together for the good of our communities, the economy, the environment and our health.  Shopping local and independent doesn’t have to be exclusive but it is important to take steps to keep small stores in the mix.

Where are these proud places?  Well, they’re here, there and everywhere especially in “America’s Top Ten Cities for Small Business.”

So, go with your gut because you’re right, small businesses are good for you.  Thanks for reading and for your support of Little Independent and the mom and pop shops in your community.

Lesley Tweedie, Founder

LittleIndependent.com

@LitInd on Twitter and on Facebook

Little Independent is a small business resource launched in 2011.  Its mission is to be an advocate for independent retailers and to give savvy shoppers an easier way to find great independent stores and discounted merchandise.

Kathy,

Flannel & Lace, LLC in Manasquan, NJ

Happy New Year and thank you for adding Flannel and Lace, LLC to Little Independent.  You’re our 89th store and we are thrilled to have you.  Your storefront photo is so cute it makes me want to check out Manasquan someday!

Our goal is to help independent retail stores to access new customers, enhance visibility online and sell inventory faster.  Just let me know if you need any help creating listings or if you encounter any issues with the site.  We are working to make it better and better and as one of our first users, your feedback is invaluable to us. Thanks again and have a great rest of your week, Lesley

She replied:

Dear Lesley ,

Your email is so sweet …thank you so much ! We would LOVE to have you visit Manasquan for sure and especially Flannel and Lace llc. Our grand opening launch party and ribbon cutting is this Friday and I am beyond excited ! My daughter and I opened the store just this December so we are really excited to get some free press !

I don’t know if you know Manasquan NJ but we are at the beach and our little town was very hard hit by Sandy …many of our residents are now ‘displaced’ and put into temporary housing in other places , which wasn’t a good thing for the start of Flannel and Lace ..the people who are here are not as much worried about new pjs’ as we would like them to be. It has been a difficult start to say the least but we are prepared to see F&L a total success !

I was so happy to find your site and thank you again for the warm welcome !

Kathy

If you’ll be in New Jersey this Friday, February 1st from 4-7 PM, stop by for the grand opening festivities.  There will be wine, cheese, giveaways and a chance to say hello to the mother and daughter owner team Kathy and Katelyn.  The store is located at 75 Main St. in Manasquan, NJ 08736.

Women like Kathy and Katelyn are why Little Independent is so important to me.  Best of luck to these entrepreneurs!

Lesley Tweedie. Founder

www.littleindependent.com   

Little Independent is an online marketplace for sale items from independent retail stores.  Our goal is to be an advocate for independent retailers and to help savvy shoppers to find great independent stores and sale merchandise online.

Here are three reasons why this is important to me:

1.  My husband and I own a brick and mortar retail store.

2.  I prefer shopping at small, independent stores and I want them to remain a part of the overall retail landscape.

3.  Independent stores improve quality of life and benefit the community, environment and local jobs.   (For more information see “Top 10 Reasons To Support Locally Owned Businesses” from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.)

Little Independent helps stores to reach a wider audience with slower turning discounted and sale merchandise.  Selling these items improves cash flow and frees up display space for new inventory.  Out with the old to make way for the new.

We’re always trying to improve the website and to add more stores and sale items.  We don’t have a large budget for marketing or technology so sometimes things are a little slow going.  This work is important and interesting to me so I’ll continue this focus in 2013.  Therefore, New Year, same general concept.

You can help by adding a store, listing merchandise, or shopping at small independent stores like these.  Also, check out our Get Involved page.

Thank you for all of your support and I hope your New Year is off to a wonderful start.

2013: More Hugs. More Better.

Lesley Tweedie, Founder

www.littleindependent.com

Say you want to buy a gift from an independent shop.  Local would be ideal but maybe you’re at work or you have a baby in your lap.  You can’t really get out and about so you’d like to shop online.  If you have a particular store in mind, you could google them and see if they have an e-commerce site, but wouldn’t it be nice to have one website that could link you to dozens of independent, brick & mortar retail shops’ online stores?

One of the reasons we created Little Independent was because we wanted to make it easier to buy from mom and pop shops online.  We’re working to grow with more stores and sale item content but, right now, there are only 236 items listed on the site and not all of them are available online.  (Some are listed, but available in-store or over the phone only.) There are definitely more than 236 items you could purchase right now online from small shops with e-commerce sites but I’ve never been able to find a straightforward directory of links to those websites.

There are some wonderful independent business directories out there, but they’re not curated to get folks right down to independent online shopping.  When I googled “independent online shopping” I was please to see Little Independent come up on the first page.  I also found this Racked.com article Get Your Indie On: The 38 Best Independent Shopping Sites We Could Find on the Internet. I’m not sure all 38 have actual storefronts, but it’s a start.

I’m looking for an intern to help develop a directory to make it easier to shop independent stores online.  The ideal candidate would be someone who is interested in e-commerce and digital marketing.  If you or someone you know would like to learn more, please contact me through our Get Involved page.  Thanks so much and Happy Holidays!

November and December are big months in retail and it’s incredibly easy to make local and independent stores a part of the mix.  Here are four holiday shop local campaigns that emphasize the benefits of supporting neighborhood shops over the holiday season.

1.  Saturday, November 10th is Neighborhood Toy Store Day!

2.  The Shift Your Shopping campaign begins.

3.  Small Business Saturday is November 24^th

4.  In addition to the national campaigns, you’ll probably find one that directly benefits your community.  For example, Local First Chicago has Unwrap Chicago and Chicago Buy Local Week

We are thrilled to be a part of the growing local and independent movement to preserve and promote Main St. style shopping in America. Please help us by:

1.  Visiting Little Independent to shop, sell or lend support.

Through out marketplace, we’re working to make it easier for small, independent stores to sell clearance and discounted merchandise online and in-store.

2.  If your favorite store isn’t there, please tell the shopkeeper about our site. The more stores and sale items to be found, the more enjoyable and beneficial Little Independent becomes.

3.  Purchase some of your holiday gifts from independently owned stores in-person or via Little Independent.

Thanks and Happy Holiday Shopping!

Lesley Tweedie, Founder

www.littleindependent.com

@LitInd on Twitter, Facebook and SmallStores on YouTube